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A combination of three unique metal genres. They usually overlap with each other and even heavy metal itself. Speed metal is essentially heavy metal with faster tempos, power metal is heavy metal and/or speed metal with more melodies and bigger choruses, and progressive metal takes its influence from traditional metal and progressive rock.

Clearly a genre influenced by the NWOBHM and early hardcore. Speed metal is often used interchangeably, but thrash metal at its core has more punk elements than the former, as well as mosh-inducing riffs. It can be either technical or simplistic.

A genre in which its origins are debatable, but for the sake of posterity, bands formed before the Swedish explosion will also be documented here. More atmospheric leanings than other metal genres. Earliest instances of black metal could also be considered as simply speed/thrash metal with evil imagery.

The logical successor to thrash metal, taking heaviness up a notch. There are also less punk elements than typical thrash metal, although the genre sometimes flirts with grindcore or other extreme metal. Bands that hybrid both death metal and thrash metal will also be documented here.

Perhaps the oldest metal genre in the book, if you consider Black Sabbath and the like as part of the equation. Even still, it has its own unique flavor, focusing more on atmosphere and precision, rather than speed itself. The beat of the rhythm itself is what makes doom metal such a worthy classification.

Other genres that are relevant to metal or at least hard rock itself. Non-metal entries are acceptable, but if one strays from even the traditional sound, then it will certainly not belong here. For instance, pure nu metal is not acceptable.